Category Archive: Varicose Veins

The weather might still be changeable, but summer is just around the corner. You know what that means: shorts season.

If the thought of showing off your bare legs makes you cringe, take heart. There are many ways you can get your legs ready for shorts season. Try these five tips to get your legs looking and feeling great before the warm weather arrives.

Exfoliate

There are a few ways to exfoliate your legs. One great way is to brush off the dead skin cells. Use a body brush, preferably one with boar bristles as opposed to synthetic materials, to gently remove dead skin cells. You’d be surprised what your body can carry around after months of hiding under layers of clothing.

Apply Lotion

The cold weather during winter tends to dry your skin, which can cause itching, rashes and general discomfort. Apply plenty of lotion to your skin now to moisturize for the warmer weather, as well as to protect your skin while it’s still cold outside. As you prepare to bare your legs after months under wraps, applying a high-quality moisturizer is a must.

Remember Sun Protection

Your legs may be pale after a long winter, but sun exposure is not the solution. Regardless of the weather, if your legs are bare while you’re outdoors, always apply plenty of sunscreen. Don’t risk your health by getting too much sun. If you want to achieve a tanned appearance, try tinted lotion or self-tanner.

Exercise Regularly

One of the best ways to get your legs ready for shorts season is to exercise them. Consider a short, brisk walk in the morning or after dinner. Or hit the gym and embrace the elliptical, stair-stepper or treadmill. Even a little exercise can go a long way when it comes to toning your legs and improving your overall health.

See Your Doctor

You still have plenty of time to make an appointment to treat varicose and spider veins before shorts season. Treating varicose and spider veins may cause temporary mild redness or bruising, so now is the time to make that appointment.

Ready for the beautiful legs you’ve always wanted for shorts season this year? Let our expert team at VeinInnovations help. Contact us today, and our highly acclaimed physicians will develop a customized treatment plan just for you.

One in four U.S. adults suffers from varicose veins. With so many affected by this condition, a number of misconceptions still surround the subject of venous health. One of the biggest myths is that exercise can be bad for your veins. There is an important connection between exercise and vein health, and it may become even more important as you age.

Understanding Veins

Blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) carry blood around your body. Arteries carry oxygenated blood to your muscles, extremities and vital organs. Once this blood has delivered oxygen and nutrients, it must be returned to your heart to pick up more oxygen and to be recirculated. Veins carry that blood back to your heart.

When veins return blood from your lower extremities, gravity works against them, resisting the natural pressure and sometimes causing blood to collect and pool in the veins. This phenomenon can cause varicose veins, which are veins that become enlarged and misshaped. These varicose veins can cause an achy, heavy feeling in your legs and can become unsightly and visible through your skin. As you age, your veins can stretch, and varicose veins can become an even greater concern.

Exercise and Vein Health

Exercise can help the blood moving through the veins in your legs to start flowing stronger again. As you exercise, muscle contractions clench veins and help push blood back up through your circulatory system. On the whole, exercise is beneficial for improving circulation. Running, walking, swimming, biking and using the elliptical can all be good ways to get your blood pumping. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, standing more often and elevating your legs when sitting can also go a long way toward increasing your overall vein health.

Varicose Veins in Men and Women

Another myth is that varicose veins only affect women. In reality, both men and women can have varicose veins; however, men are slightly less likely to have varicose veins and less likely to seek help if they do develop vein disease. Age, weight and family history all play a role in your likelihood of developing varicose veins. Men and women alike should be aware of their risks and monitor their vein health. Developing an exercise plan and seeing medical care can help.

Treatment and Tips

Exercise and vein health go hand-in-hand. Being active is one great way to prevent varicose veins and enjoy improved circulation, especially if that exercise involves moving your lower extremities. If you find yourself suffering from vein pain or discomfort, there are a number of treatment options available to help improve the look and feel of varicose and spider veins.

If you are concerned about your vein health, consult with our expert medical team at VeinInnovations. Our skilled health care professionals can evaluate your vein health and develop a personalized treatment plan just for you so that you are feeling and looking better. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and free vein assessment.

American Heart Month is a reminder for Americans to take care of their heart health and come together as a community to promote heart-healthy habits. In that spirit, VeinInnovations is dedicated to helping patients identify potential risks to the health of their veins and their cardiovascular system.

VeinInnovations offers free vein screening. These screenings can help assess your veins to make sure they are healthy and in good shape for the future. Here is more information to help improve your vein health.

Are My Veins Healthy?

There are many symptoms that may indicate you need to see a doctor about your veins. Tired, heavy, achy or swollen legs and ankles or varicose veins and spider veins are all signs you may have vein-health concerns. These symptoms could be a sign of poor blood flow in your legs, and if left untreated, these difficulties could become more serious problems, such as chronic venous insufficiency. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see an expert for a comprehensive vein screening.

What Causes Poor Vein Health?

Lifestyle choices and aging can both contribute to poor vein health, but these aren’t the only causes. If you stand or sit for long periods of time each day, you might be at risk for circulatory problems like varicose veins. Varicose veins are caused by poor circulation in the legs. Once oxygen-rich blood travels through your body, it returns to the heart through your veins. Veins have one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing the wrong way. When blood flows through your legs and to the heart, it must travel against gravity, and sometimes, the valves in these veins and even the veins themselves can become weakened. When this happens, blood may pool in or near valves in the veins causing them to bulge and appear blue on the surface of your skin.

There are many lifestyle changes you can make to help improve varicose veins such as exercising, losing weight and elevating your legs. Doctors, like the caring team at VeinInnovations, can also help develop a treatment plan to improve or correct your varicose veins.

Vein Health Is for Everyone

While vein health issues like varicose veins do affect women more frequently than men, men are still at risk. Women are more likely to experience vein health issues primarily due to hormonal changes. However, men are affected by other risk factors such as aging, obesity, family history and injury. Both men and women will benefit from vein screening and attention to their cardiovascular system.

Get Your Free Vein Screening

If you are concerned about your vein and circulatory health, see your doctor immediately. At VeinInnovations we offer free vein screenings to help evaluate your veins and to help ensure you have the best care and attention to your vein health. This free screening does include a quick ultrasound to rule out vein disease. If vein disease is detected, VeinInnovations will recommend a more extensive study of your legs with a proper diagnosis and consultation with a vein doctor to talk through a treatment plan to get your healthy legs back!

Is the cold weather causing your varicose veins to act up? You’re not alone. A chilly winter can take a toll on your entire body and can be especially tough on your veins. Whether from spending most of your time indoors or indulging in too many holiday treats, the season can worsen the symptoms of your venous disease and take a toll on your legs. Thankfully, there are a few strategies for these uncomfortable, unsightly symptoms. Keep reading to find out our favorite methods for winter leg care.

1. Exercise Regularly

Though it’s tempting to relax at home with a cup of cocoa during winter, make time to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity improves your blood circulation, which can relieve irritation from varicose veins. A sedentary lifestyle makes it harder for your body to push blood back to your heart. Winter cardio options include swimming laps at a local pool, doing a Pilates DVD or taking brisk walks in the fresh air.

2. Eat Right

Love treats? Unfortunately, regular indulgence could be causing inflammation in your body, which doesn’t help already irritated legs. Include lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and lean proteins in your diet, alongside the occasional sugary extravagance. Health, after all, is about balance, not deprivation!

Whether you’re walking or sitting, the law of gravity means blood pools in your legs. A few times a day, sit down, relax and put your feet up on a stool or cushions. By thwarting gravity, you will divert blood flow and ease swelling. You can also tuck pillows under your feet and legs to enjoy the same benefit while you sleep.

5. Use an Ice Pack

Just as you might ice a painful bump on your head, applying a cold pack to your legs can inhibit blood flow to the area to minimize swelling and discomfort. (Wrap the cold pack or bag of ice in a cloth so it won’t irritate your skin.) Don’t overdo it: 15 minutes at a time is sufficient.

Winter is the perfect season to schedule medical treatments for varicose and spider veins. Treatments may cause slight bruising or redness, and you may have to wear compression stockings after ablation therapies. Though some patients feel self-conscious about their legs’ appearance, winter clothing masks these issues. Winter treatment means that you’ll be ready to flaunt your healthy legs when the warm weather arrives.

Are you ready to get serious about winter leg care? With a team of acclaimed physicians, VeinInnovations offers world-class venous disease treatments with maximum results and minimal pain. Contact our offices today, and a team member can answer your questions. We can’t wait to welcome you to VeinInnovations.

Flexible spending accounts can be an excellent way to budget for health care expenses. However, there’s one thing many people don’t know about their flexible spending account (FSA): If the money in the account is not spent before the end of the year, you don’t get to spend it at all. Read on for further information about flex spending accounts so your money doesn’t go to waste.

What Are Flex Spending Accounts?

Also known as flexible spending arrangements, FSAs help people save money on health care. An employee chooses to designate a set amount of money from each paycheck, pre-tax, and use that money toward medical expenses. Employees can contribute up to $2,550 to their account, and the tax savings can add up in the long run.

Where Does Flex Spending Money Go If You Don’t Use It?

You can accrue quite a bit of money in your flex spending account to put toward medical expenses. But if you don’t spend that money by the end of the year, you lose all the funds. Employers have the option of offering a “grace period” up to 2.5 months to use FSA funds the previous year or allowing an employee to carry over $500 into the new plan year. Any leftover funds are used by the employer to offset administrative costs of the FSA, so it’s truly a use it or lose it arrangement.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to spend the money left in your account.

How Should You Spend Leftover FSA Funds?

If you don’t have as many medical expenses as you had predicted, you can spend this extra money in a number of useful ways. Acceptable expenses include prescription and over-the-counter medications, a wide variety of personal care products and items such as compression hose. Flexible spending funds can also sometimes be used for treatments, if deemed medically necessary, such as chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture and some vein treatment procedures.

How Can Flex Accounts Help with Vein Treatment?

Vein disease afflicts people worldwide; however, many sufferers don’t seek treatment. According to Dr. Alexander Park, “Vein disease has real physical symptoms and can affect long-term quality of life without adequate treatment.” But even with potential health impacts of leaving vein disease untreated, some people are reluctant to pay out-of-pocket for relief. This is where flexible spending accounts can come to the rescue. Procedures such as varicose vein surgery can be covered by your FSA if medically necessary for you. Other vein treatments however, under FSA criteria, may be considered to be primarily cosmetic procedures and are not covered. Check with a doctor to see what vein treatments might be considered important to your vein health and covered by your flexible spending funds.

The money in your flex spending account will expire by the end of the year, so if you still have funds left over, you should spend it soon. If you’re debating how to spend your flexible spending account money, consider vein treatments at VeinInnovations. Their expert staff can answer all your questions and guide you through the process to better vein health.

Every November, American Diabetes Month helps raise awareness of this common disease. Roughly 9.4 percent of the population has diabetes. However, of the 30.3 million cases in the U.S., 7.2 million are undiagnosed. One of the many effects of the disease is the development of ulcers.

What Is an Ulcer?

An ulcer is an open sore caused by either a break in mucous membrane or skin, often accompanied by accumulation of pus, pain and tissue disruption. While they can form on internal as well as external body surfaces, sores linked with diabetes most often arise on the outer skin of the lower extremities.

External and lower extremity ulcers can be broken down into three distinct categories: arterial, diabetic and venous. Diabetes is an underlying cause for both diabetic and arterial types. While venous types are not directly tied to diabetes, they can result from repercussive vein diseases and abnormalities.

Arterial Ulcers

Arterial (or “ischemic”) ulcers are the result of insufficient blood supply to the affected area. These account for roughly 15 percent of leg ulcers. A combination of high blood pressure, narrowing of arteries and a buildup of deposits hinders blood supply. When tissues receive an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, skin cells begin to die and break down. They are deep, pale, dry and associated with intense pain.

Diabetic Ulcers

These occur in patients with peripheral neuropathy on various parts of the foot. Ultimately, nerve damage that arises from consistently high blood sugar levels disrupts communication between the brain and distant limbs. Blood vessels become damaged, and there is a severe reduction in blood sent to the feet, decreasing the nutrients and immune-fighting cells to these areas.

Additionally, the ability to detect pain and touch is partially disabled, enhancing the risk of wounds leading to infection due to neglect and lack of awareness. These sores are deep and red, and they are often accompanied by diminished sensation.

Venous Ulcers

Approximately 1 percent of Americans experience this condition at least once throughout their lives. These sores develop from an increase in pressure in the small blood vessels surrounding a site of injury. Over time, the high pressure damages the skin and leads to insufficient blood supply (as with the other types). Venous disease causes roughly 80 percent of all leg ulcers, primarily through malfunctioning valves.

If you have varicose veins, proper treatment can cure and help prevent venous ulcers. Living with a wrapped ankle/foot/leg or an Unna boot and visiting wound care centers does not have to be a reality. VeinInnovations treats venous ulcers with the same procedure we perform for venous reflux disease, since ulcers are also a symptom of incorrect blood flow. This procedure dries the ulcers up, allowing them to heal. If you have questions or want more information, contact the team at VeinInnovations today. Our expert staff can offer customized treatment to help your vein health issues.

Just like the rest of our body, the skin on our legs is susceptible to signs of aging. Over time, skin loses its elasticity, as the collagen and elastin fibers break down. Your skin also becomes thinner, which may increase the appearance of veins below the surface. Indeed, patients afflicted with venous disease often find the visible symptoms of their conditions worsen as they age. Of course, this phenomenon is coupled with the fact that veins age too! With time, the valves of your veins are affected, causing their efficiency to decrease and unpleasant, irritating side effects to sometimes occur. Keep reading to find out the effects of chronic venous insufficiency upon the skin—and what you can do to find relief!

Varicose Veins

When left untreated, varicose veins can disrupt the smooth, attractive appearance of your skin. Varicose veins are a dark blue or purple in color and they appear “twisted” or “kinked”, as they push against the surface of your skin. These veins can cause discoloration and swelling, thus affecting your legs’ texture. Varicose veins are the result of blood traveling in both directions in the veins due to defective aging valves. This backwards flow causes blood pooling and subsequent stretching of the vein walls.

Spider Veins

Think of spider veins as the younger sibling to varicose veins. These veins are less likely to cause discomfort, but their appearance is still unsightly. Spider veins appear as red or purple vein clusters that push against the skin’s surface. While relatively harmless at onset, spider veins have the potential to grow into painful, large varicose veins without medical intervention, explaining why many patients do opt to have them treated as soon as they can.

Venous Stasis

During venous stasis, the skin’s texture can change drastically. Patients frequently exhibit thickened skin on their legs with discoloration in the ankle area, due to the increased pressure from pooling blood. Varicose veins are often present too, since this disease usually results from the failure to treat them. If left untreated over the long term, venous stasis can result in venous ulcers, which you certainly need to avoid.

How to Get Help Today

If you’re suffering from one of these venous diseases, quick relief from your symptoms is only a phone call away at (678) 731-9815. With four state-of-art clinics in Georgia, VeinInnovations hosts a team of acclaimed doctors, who specialize in making the unsightly effects of these diseases disappear. We offer a variety of non-surgical treatments, which are fast, effective and nearly painless. Contact us today to find out more about our VeinInnovations medical centers and which treatment would be right for your legs.

To the ladies suffering from venous disease, be inspired this September 27th to take care of your health and improve your well-being. What’s so special about September 27th, you ask? That date is officially National Women’s Health & Fitness Day throughout the United States. It’s a day for women to take some time for themselves by enjoying a wholesome lunch with friends, getting a therapeutic massage or signing up for your next yoga class. In an ideal world, we would take amazing, thoughtful care of our bodies every day, but sometimes an extra reminder is needed.

Of course, when you’re afflicted with untreated venous disease you don’t necessarily need a reminder of their existence! Venous Disease can have a tendency to make its presence known with uncomfortable and unsightly symptoms such as varicose veins, spider veins and thrombophlebitis. Venous diseases often cause unpleasant symptoms like aching pain, leg cramping, swelling, visible veins and even a darkening of the affected area. However, even in the most severe cases, we’re here to tell you that treatment options are available to you at VeinInnovations.

Become our next satisfied patient

At VeinInnovations, we want you to return to your healthy, energetic day-to-day life as soon as possible. That’s why so many of our patients rave about our medical treatments and services. After becoming VeinInnovations patients, many women and men report an increase in their physical activity. One of our clients was a former adventurer, who dreamed of climbing to new heights again. We made that happen for him: “Had I not sought help for my bulging veins, I would have had the endurance needed to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro with my son Corey,” Randy Yates’ recounts.

Healing your veins’ visible symptoms also allows you to show off your legs with confidence again. Doubtful? Ask Wilma Ferguson, who wrote to us: “My spider veins made my legs tingle and feel numb. They limited my movement and energy, and I worried about covering up my legs. Now that I’ve had my legs treated, I feel incredible and wear what I want!”

Ready to begin treatment?

VeinInnovations specializes in treatments that maximize results with minimal discomfort. Our board-certified doctors offer a wide array of state-of-art medical services, designed to alleviate the symptoms of many different venous diseases. Visit our contact page for more details. We can help make every day a health and fitness day for you!

A childhood trip to the emergency room inspired Dr. David Park to become a doctor. “It was traumatic for my mother,” he says. “I was taken to the ER, half of my face was split open, and within a few hours, I was sewn up and it healed well. Knowing that the human body can be put back together like that caused me to think about becoming a doctor.”

As he entered medical school, Dr. Park had the idea he would be become a heart surgeon. “I was in awe of working on the human heart,” he says. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1988, graduating with honors, and received a fellowship from the Mid-America Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Hospital. After five years as a resident general surgeon and chief general surgeon at Emory University, he moved into private practice and has continued to work in this field since then. In that time, he has also developed a specialized interest in various vein health concerns, which he now treats in his role with VeinInnovations.

While working on the human heart was a major inspiration in his early career, Dr. David Park found that these surgeries became mundane over time. “It was the same operation over and over,” he says. “I was turned off by that.”

General surgery proved to be the perfect solution, him with a varied workload that kept him refreshed and engaged. To broaden his professional and intellectual scope further, Dr. Park branched into vein disorders, which he has found especially gratifying in terms of their mental challenge. Patients come in with a wide range of problems that require individualized treatment. “What I like best is that it’s a fairly rapid process,” Dr. Park says. “Seeing the before and after is gratifying.”

More than cosmetics

In his work with VeinInnovations, Dr. Park regularly meets with patients who hold misconceptions about the vein treatments offered. The most common such misconception is that vein treatments only have cosmetic benefits. “It’s a nice benefit to having this done, but it is significantly more than aesthetics,” Dr. Park says.

Dr. Park enjoys taking time to educate patients on the benefits, and to address their concerns about the treatment process. “The most common concern is how painful this is going to be,” Dr. Park says. “I reassure them that most patients say it is much better than they expected. I’ve had them done myself and I was able to tolerate it and I can attest to and empathize with their fears. But it isn’t going to be as bad as what they are anticipating.”

Through this process, Dr. Park enjoys the ability to sit down and get to know his patients, while also allowing them to learn more about him.

Building relationships

“I like engaging with patients, and I look forward to helping them feel better and look better, and the process of getting to know them individually over time,” Dr. Park says. “That’s fun. People come from various backgrounds and stories, and then I’ll share my story.”

Since patients often come into the office for a number of appointments before, during and after treatments, there is ample time to strengthen these relationships and make sure each patient gets the attention and experience they deserve. It also helps that VeinInnovations offers a full spectrum of services that can be provided in-office. “I don’t have to send patients off elsewhere,” Dr. Park says. “We perform everything in our office.”

If you are currently suffering with a venous disease or other vein health concerns, contact the VeinInnovations team today to learn more about how we can help.

Chronic venous disease (also known as chronic venous insufficiency) occurs when the veins in the legs do not allow blood to flow efficiently to the heart. Weakened, faulty valves cause blood to pool in the legs. These blood flow issues can lead to other problems that affect vein health. Common vein problems include varicose veins and spider veins, with spider veins being the least serious of the most common vein disorders.

Who’s affected?

Vein disease is fairly common and can affect anyone. By the age of 55, almost half of men and women suffer from some form of it. . A widely reported statistic estimates that spider veins affect up to 72% of American women and 40% of men. People who work jobs that require them to stand for a long time are more susceptible. But a sedentary lifestyle can also increase risk. Vein problems become more frequent with age, but being female, having a family history of varicose veins, injury, smoking, lack of physical activity, and gaining weight contribute to the disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic vein disease affect the legs and ankles and may be uncomfortable or painful. Individuals may experience itching, a heavy feeling one or both legs, cramping and skin sores or ulcers. Other symptoms include swollen ankles, varicose veins and brown-colored or dark-colored skin.

Prevention

There are no true prevention methods, however, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise are always good habits. If your job requires you to sit or stand for long periods of time, taking regular breaks during the day to walk for a few minutes can help to get the muscle pump in your calf moving again. If your doctor has prescribed a blood thinner for blood clots, it is imperative to consistently take the medicine as prescribed.

Chronic venous disease is a common medical condition, affecting millions; however, it can be treated. If you have been diagnosed, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Treatment

One conservative treatment option for chronic vein disease is elevating your legs when sitting. If your job requires you to sit or stand for long periods of time, your doctor may recommend that you take breaks throughout your day and walk to improve circulation in your legs and feet.

Your doctor may also prescribe compression stockings or socks to reduce swelling, relieve pain and help heal skin ulcers.

Sometimes, lifestyle changes alone are not adequate to treat vein disease. Fortunately, vein specialists, such as those at VeinInnovations, offer a variety of treatment options that are virtually pain-free. After a thorough consultation and diagnosis, board-certified physicians will design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. VeinInnovations offers state-of-the-art approaches to the treatment of vein diseases, including non-surgical procedures.

If you are experiencing symptoms of chronic venous disease, contact VeinInnovations today to schedule a consultation with our caring team of vein care specialists.